Air-valve device.



A. J. BEATON.

AIR VALVE DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 2, 1917.

. maw m Patented Apr. 30, 1918.

. I van for AH'UFH AIR-VALVE DEVICE.

Application filed March 2, 1917.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that T, ALLAN J. BEA'roN, a citizen of the United States, residing at New Britain, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Air-Valve Devices, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to air valve devices such as are used for instance in conjunction with steam and hot-water heating systems. I have several objects in view, among them being the provision of simple and advantageous means to prevent extraneous tampering with the seat of the air valve. Another object of the invention is to furnish I a valve controlling member which is positive and certain in action.

In the drawings accompanying and forming part of the present specification I have shown in detail one of the several convenient forms of embodiment of the invention which will be set forth fullyin'the following description. ll do not restrict myself to this exact disclosure; I may depart therefrom in several respects within the scope of the invention defined by the claim following said description.

Referring to said drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of an air valve device involving the invention and showing the post in section at the upper end and the movableparts in their two extreme positions by full and dotted lines.

Figs. 2 and 3 are horizontal sections on the line 2-3 of Fig. 1, looking respectively in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the lin 44 of said Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrow.

Like characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

The device involves in its make-up a base as 10 and a shell as 11. The base may be and preferably is cast, while the shell can be drawn, although the parts in question can be produced in any other desirable manner. As shown the shell 11 is threaded into the base and the latter in turn is provided with a nipple 12 extended therefrom. The threaded portion of the nipple is adapted for connection with a radiator as usual. The bore of the nipple as will be understood communicates with the interior of the housing presented jointly by the base and shell. Following the usual fashion the shell may Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 3d, 191%.

Serial in. 151,986.

Es threaded into the upper portion of the ase.

In the housing or casing formed by the base and shell is a thermo-eirpansible member as the post 13. This part 13 as shown consists of an elongated cylinder preferably but not essentially of aluminum. Normally the flat lower end of the post 13 or its equiv alent is seated upon the flat bottom 15 of the cavity 16 in the base or equivalent fixture 10. I desire to call attention to the fact that the cavity tapers downwardly and inwardly. The lower portion of the cavity is on a very slight taper; in fact it might be practically cylindrical so as to freely receive the lower end of the cylindrical post 13 to insure proper guiding of the post.

The upper reduced end 17 of the shell has a central boss 18 which receives from the inside of the shell the cylindrical valve member 19, the latter as shown being in threaded connection with the boss 18, although this is not always necessary. The top of the valve seating member 19 has a central port 20 registering with the opening 20 in the boss 18, for the escape of air from the radiator which obviously passes by the nipple 12 into the base 10, the shell 11 and entering the seating member 19 from the under open side flows out of the ports or perforations 20 and 20 .when the same are uncovered by the valve 21, the upper or active end 22 of which is pointed or tapered. When the needle valve. on the venting of air from the device, enters'the port 20 as shown by dotted lines in said Fig. 1, and this occurs as will be hereinafter described, the passage of anything from the device is prevented. The shank 23 of the valve 21 is connected centrally with the closed top of the regulating member 2 1, the body of which is circular and open on its under side. As I have noted the shank 23 is connected to the top of the regulating member and as shown the under side of said top has a central projection 25 which ma as shown be integral with the shank 23. he projecting portion 25 as shown extends into the upper end of the bore or passage 25 in the post 13 and with the regulator 24 is properly ided by the part 13.

When tfi: parts occupy the position shown by full lines, it is obvious that when steam or hot water enters the casing or housing made up of the parts 10 and 11, the heat of the steam or water will cause the expansion of the thermo-enpansible member 13 and therefore, lift the regulator 24 and consequently the shank 23 to cause the conical valve 22 to enter the port from the lower side thereof and thus close-said port after air has been vented from the device.

1 I have noted the fact that the boss 18 has in its top an opening 20' which registers with the port 20'. Th1s boss when the shell 11 is in blank form can be spun over at its upper portion in such manner as to produce the upper wall 20" in which is'formed the port 20, the wall 20." acting as a stop for the valve-seatin member 19. From this it will be clear t at the valve-seating member cannot be reached exteriorly, for to adjust it should occasion therefor require, it is necessary to take 011" the shell 11. The normal inaccessibility of the valve-seating memher therefore, is an advantage in that the said member cannot be readily reached. What I claim is: l

A device of the class described comprising a base, a shell detachably connected with the base, the shell being provided with a boss at its upper end,'havin an opening, a valve seating member insertlble in the boss solely by the removal of the shell and having an opening in register with the other opening, a thermo-expansible member inclosed by the base and the shell, the cavity of the base tapering downwardly and inwardly upon a curve to receive the lower portion of the thermo-expansible member, an inverted cup-like regulating member attached to the top of said thermo-expansible member, and.

a valve extending throu h member and havmg a slidable connection with the thermo-expansible member.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ALLAN J. BEATON. Witnesses:

L. L. MARKEL, Hmrn Surrmnmnn.

the regulating 

